Podcasting, what does it mean for the future?
Monday, October 25th, 2004
Podcasting is a really nifty term for mobile audio devices 
being able to subscribe to RSS feeds that enclose MP3’s as part of the syndication feed. Right now this means that with my Apple Ipod, which is really the only mobile device able to support this so far, I can subscribe to any number of audio casts and have them auto magically uploaded to my device as they are posted.
Really neat application, and from an audio casting perspective it’s an amazing way of syndicating your audio content. Now, is that all this is? A neat and easy way of getting audio onto my Ipod? Definitely not…
Podcasting is the first step in expanding RSS Syndication past the text and image content traditionally provided by Web logs, and enabling the Mass Market to replace Mass Media as the suppliers. This is an evolutionary leap toward allowing anyone to be able to take content, whether that be textual, audio, visual, or even more and effectively syndicate that to an audience willing to listen through the Internet using their devices that support it.
Amazing stuff really. I can see the day…
When my Smart Fridge that I programmed (And Paid?) to subscribe to a top chef’s RSS feed provides a list of his/her latest recipes. Then based on the recipes that I chose to make that week RSS syndicates the needed ingredients to my local Grocery Store that is subscribed to my feed as their customer.
When my TIVO can display and subscribe to any myriad of amateur 
Video Broadcasters who syndicate their own shows via their Home PC and a Webcam / Digital recorder, or record a list of shows my favorite personality watches so I can be “just like Mike”
When my Car’s Navigation System is wirelessly subscribed to the syndicated Gas Supplier hot list for Toronto and automatically notifies me when I am near a gas station that has the best price that day in my city.
The key between all of these? They are all standardized through RSS, and they lower the bar for the mass market to adopt and use through multiple mediums. Let the innovation and mass syndication begin!
For those interested in starting their own Podcasting time slot, take a look at Tod’s instructions on how to get started.
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